I-131

Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records

Agency
USCIS
Revision
Edition 01/20/25
Fillable fields
339
Pages
14
Official source
USCIS form page
Checked
October 14, 2026
Fill I-131 online
Page 1 of form I-131

Form I-131: Application for Travel Documents and Parole Documents

Form I-131 covers several different requests, all about travel or parole. USCIS uses it for reentry permits, refugee travel documents, travel authorization for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries, Advance Parole Documents, initial parole documents for people outside the United States, and arrival and departure records for parole in place and re-parole.

Which document you are asking for decides which boxes you check in Part 1 and which other parts you fill in. A green card holder who will be abroad for a long time asks for a reentry permit. A person with a pending Form I-485 who wants to travel asks for an Advance Parole Document.

An Advance Parole Document does not guarantee readmission. The instructions state that a separate discretionary decision is made at the port of entry when you return, so read the warnings before you plan a trip.

The title area of Form I-131 (edition 01/20/25) with the form name, agency and OMB number

What's on Form I-131

Part 1: Application type

Boxes for each document: reentry permit, refugee travel document, TPS travel authorization, advance parole (box 5 with sub-boxes), initial parole from abroad, parole in place, and re-parole.

Part 2: Information about you

Name, A-Number, mailing and physical address, and birth and status details.

Part 3: Biographic information

Ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye and hair color.

Part 4: Processing information

Whether the person receiving the document has been in immigration court proceedings, and whether you were previously issued a reentry permit, refugee travel document or Advance Parole Document, including replacement requests.

Parts 5 to 7: Document-specific sections

Part 5 is for a reentry permit, Part 6 for a refugee travel document, and Part 7 for proposed travel when you apply for an Advance Parole Document.

Parts 8 and 9: Parole sections

Part 8 is for an initial parole document, parole in place or re-parole. Part 9 covers employment authorization for a new period of parole.

Parts 10 to 13: Statement and signature

Applicant's statement and signature, interpreter, preparer and additional information.

How to fill out Form I-131

  1. 1

    Pick one application type in Part 1

    Check only the box that matches the document you want. You cannot change the type after filing online, and picking another type to file online may lead to denial without a refund.

    Part 1 of Form I-131 with exactly one application type box checked
  2. 2

    Complete Part 2 and Part 3

    Use your legal name and a mailing address where you reliably receive mail.

    Item 1 of Part 2 of Form I-131 with a sample full name entered
  3. 3

    Fill in only the parts that apply

    Skip Parts 5 to 9 unless the instructions say your type uses them. Each of those parts opens with who completes it.

    Parts 5 and 6 of Form I-131, each opening with a note saying only some application types complete it
  4. 4

    Add your proposed travel

    If you apply for an Advance Parole Document, describe the trip in Part 7.

    Part 7 of Form I-131 with a sample departure date, purpose, country, one trip and length of trip entered
  5. 5

    Attach evidence and photos

    The instructions list evidence by document type, for example your Green Card for a reentry permit. Add certified translations for foreign-language documents.

    The reentry permit box in Part 1 of Form I-131, the application type that needs a copy of the Green Card as evidence
  6. 6

    Sign Part 10

    A stamped or typed name is not accepted. You can fill the form online free here, then print it for a handwritten signature.

    The applicant signature and date lines in Part 10 of Form I-131 with a sample signature entered

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Filing, warnings and fees

Online or by mail

Online filing is open only for certain types, such as TPS travel documents and some advance parole boxes, but not for reentry permits or refugee travel documents. Other requests go by mail to the address on the USCIS filing addresses page. USCIS changed the filing location on Oct. 7, 2026 and allows a grace period to Nov. 9, 2026.

Fee

The fee depends on the document and is on the USCIS Fee Schedule page. Check it before you file.

Filing with Form I-485

If you ask for advance parole with a pending or concurrent Form I-485, select only box 5.A. in Part 1.

Travel warnings

Advance parole does not entitle you to be paroled on return, and DHS may revoke it at any time. If you are a parolee, parole ends when you leave. A USCIS alert dated Aug. 13, 2026 explains that leaving after advance parole may count as a departure for unlawful presence purposes.

Absences of a year or more

An absence of one year or more will generally break continuous residence for naturalization. Form N-470 may be an option to preserve residence.

Edition note

The instructions PDF USCIS posted carries a draft watermark dated 05/13/2026, so check the form page for the current edition before filing.

Related forms

Who needs to fill out Form I-131?

  • Lawful and conditional permanent residents

    A reentry permit lets a permanent resident apply for admission after time abroad without needing a returning resident visa. USCIS generally issues it for 2 years.

  • Refugees and asylees

    A refugee travel document lets someone in valid refugee or asylee status seek admission on return. Refugees and asylees who are not permanent residents need one, or an Advance Parole Document, to reenter.

  • TPS beneficiaries

    TPS travel authorization is granted at USCIS's discretion and issued on Form I-512T.

  • Adjustment applicants and others inside the U.S.

    People with a pending Form I-485 and others in listed categories can request an Advance Parole Document before leaving. Leaving without one can end eligibility.

  • Parole requests

    People applying for parole into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, for themselves or someone else, and people asking for parole in place or re-parole.

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Questions about Form I-131

Is an Advance Parole Document the same as a visa?

No. The instructions say it is not issued in place of a required passport and cannot be used to get around normal visa issuance.

Can a Green Card holder use Form I-131?

Yes, to request a reentry permit for a long stay abroad. It does not replace compliance with other immigration requirements.

Can I file Form I-131 online?

Only for some types. Reentry permits and refugee travel documents must be filed on paper.

What if I leave before my advance parole is approved?

Depending on your status, leaving can make you ineligible for that status or end a pending case. The instructions explain the consequences for I-485 applicants.

Do I get a travel document for TPS?

If approved, you receive Form I-512T. DHS still decides at inspection whether you are admitted into TPS.